Editing Extractive metallurgy (section)

==Hydrometallurgy==
{{main|Hydrometallurgy}}
[[Hydrometallurgy]] is concerned with processes involving [[aqueous]] solutions to extract metals from ores. The first step in the hydrometallurgical process is [[leaching (metallurgy)|leaching]], which involves dissolution of the valuable metals into the aqueous solution and or a suitable solvent. After the solution is separated from the ore solids, the extract is often subjected to various processes of purification and concentration before the valuable metal is recovered either in its metallic state or as a chemical compound. This may include [[Precipitation (chemistry)|precipitation]], [[distillation]], [[adsorption]], and [[solvent extraction]]. The final recovery step may involve precipitation, [[Cementation (metallurgy)|cementation]], or an electrometallurgical process. Sometimes, hydrometallurgical processes may be carried out directly on the ore material without any pretreatment steps. More often, the ore must be pretreated by various mineral processing steps, and sometimes by pyrometallurgical processes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/metals-20/metallurgic-processes-142/extractive-metallurgy-559-3578/ |title=Boundless. "Extractive Metallurgy." Boundless Chemistry. Boundless, 21 Jul. 2015. Retrieved 18 Mar. 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-date=October 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012133613/https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/metals-20/metallurgic-processes-142/extractive-metallurgy-559-3578/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>